Reference Number
AGR20J-020087-000494
Selection Process Number
20-AGR-RAP-14
Organization
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Year
2019-2020
Days Open
7
Classification
City
Summerland
Type
External
Total
17
Employment Equity
14
(82.4%)
Screened out
10
(58.8%)
Screened in
7
(41.2%)
Employment Equity 82.4% 14
Screened Out 58.8% 10
Screened In 41.2% 7
Women 64.7% 11
Visible minority 29.4% 5
Indigenous 0% 0
People with disabilities 0% 0
English 0% 0
French 0% 0
Citizens 82.4% 14
Permanent Residents 0% 0
We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.
Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).
The student will conduct research on screening the cover crops for Okanagan vineyards and their impact on grape yield and fruit quality, and soil biological and fertility parameters. The research will involve: (1) establishing field plots at commercial vineyards and maintaining the experiment during the growing season; (2) taking soil and plant samples at regular intervals from experimental sites, and analyzing plant and soil samples in the lab for selected parameters; (3) contributing to analyses of vine physiology (e.g. photosynthesis, transpiration rates, leaf water potential, winter hardiness) and fruit quality at experimental sites; (4) statistically analyzing the effect of treatments on vine physiology, grape yield, fruit quality, cover crops establishment and growth parameters, soil carbon, and soil nutrients availability.
The Summerland Research and Development Centre (SuRDC) is part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) national network of 19 research centres. AAFC provides information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth. This is a collaborative project between AAFC and the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO). Time will be divided between coursework, writing, and participation in educational activities at UBCO and research that will be conducted largely at SuRDC. Research at SuRDC will be conducted in the laboratory, greenhouses and experimental vineyard. The selected student will need to be able and willing to work at UCBO and at AAFC SuRDC. The student must be willing to commute on a regular basis between the UBCO campus and the Summerland Research and Development Centre.
Positions to be filled: 1
Your résumé.
Contact information for 2 references.
A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year
Currently enrolled or willing to enroll in a Master’s program at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia-Okanagan in Kelowna, BC, with specialization in Biology.
Experience* properly handling basic laboratory equipment (i.e. pipetting, titration, balances)
Experience* conducting field or greenhouse experiments
Experience* handling and maintaining perennial or annual crops in field or greenhouse
Experience* collecting, preparing and analyzing soil and/or plant samples
*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.
English essential
Information on language requirements
Knowledge of general soil science
Knowledge of plant science
Knowledge of biology relevant to microorganisms
Ability to conduct laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments on annual plant species and grapevine
Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women
Information on employment equity
Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Completion of the AAFC Defensive Driving course within one month of employment.
Ability and willingness to work in two locations (UBCO and SuRDC)
Ability and willingness to work in the laboratory and field for extended periods.
Ability and willingness to work overtime when necessary.
Ability and willingness to travel to commercial vineyards in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys to conduct research.
Ability and willingness to work with soil, plant, compost tea, seaweed extract and vermicompost samples in the laboratory, greenhouse and field settings in variable weather condition and terrains.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors in commercial and research vineyards, which can be physically demanding, involving digging and carrying samples out of the orchards.
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Information on employment equity
Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.
Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.
Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.
Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.
Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.